New in Germantown

According to Walkscore.com, Germantown, MD rates a paltry 36 out of 100 for walkability and the transit rating is not much better at 37. Had I seen the score before I visited, I probably would not have considered moving here. Thankfully, back in October when my husband and I came to Gaithersburg to see if we might like to move here, while visiting the Work Source on Middlebrook Road, we stumbled upon Germantown. My husband was just looking for peace and quiet, so the suburban utopia of Germantown met his criteria. I was immediately charmed by the cobblestone paths along the Black Rock Center for the Arts and the Germantown Library. But what really sold me was the Germantown Transportation Center nearby. That was the clincher. We found an apartment and signed a lease that day with a move-in date for early 2023.

So this morning at 6:30 am I bid farewell to Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn where I spent the last two decades and made my way to Germantown--without a car. (Bed Stuy has a Walkscore of 96 BTW).

My journey started with New York’s subway system which took me to Penn Station where I embarked on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional Train 185. That all went smoothly. Once I go to D.C.’s Union Station, there were a few slight hiccups. I accidentally purchased a Marc train ticket to Germantown along the Brunswick Line instead of a MetroCard for the Red Line. Friendly staff and other kind commuters helped me to navigate the machines which were not as intuitive to me as those in New York. Finally, I was sorted out. I made it to Shady Grove, the last stop on the Red Line. Again with the help of staff and other commuters, I was pointed in the direction of the Ride On Route 100 bus stop. As luck would have it the bus was pulling up as I exited the station. Without hesitating, I dashed through the rain waving one arm while hauling bags with the other to make the connection. Fortunately, other passengers were boarding so I easily made the connection, but then the bus couldn’t read my card. The driver assured me that happens sometimes and to my relief allowed me entrance.

Once aboard the 100 Bus, I settled myself comfortably amongst the other commuters in anticipation of a scenic trip through Montgomery County. However, the ride from Shady Grove to the Germantown Transit Center was along the highway and express direct. Not one stop in between. I’m sure one day I will appreciate the efficiency of this route, but on my first 50-something-degree rainy afternoon in Maryland, I really wanted to get a closer look at my new hometown. Part of the fun of riding the buses in New York is the view of the neighborhoods. The “train” as we refer to the subway system in New York is almost always faster, but the bus rides are much more interesting.

Once at the Germantown Transportation Center, which I remembered from my previous visit, I just followed the map my husband made for me and walked maybe five or so minutes to my hotel. After a quick check-in at the hotel, I walked over to the leasing office for our new apartment to make sure everything was ready for us to move in the next day. From there I went to the supermarket and then the library to see what documents I need to get a library card. When I moved to New York 30 years ago, the first thing I did was get a library card there too. By 4 pm, I was chillin’ in my hotel room, watching the local news and getting used to unfamiliar newscasters reporting on unfamiliar neighborhoods, yet I felt at home.

And I accomplished all of the above without using a car. In fact, the bottom of my Amtrak eTicket reads: “Congratulations on reducing your carbon footprint. This train trip will produce 83% less greenhouse gas emissions than if you drive... and 72% less than if you fly.”

Overall, my journey to Germantown without a car had some hiccups, but it was a great adventure that further ingrained my sense of independence. As someone who developed a strong sense of self-reliance and curiosity using New York’s public transportation system, I'm excited to continue exploring my new hometown in the same spirit. Plus, I'm proud to be making eco-friendly choices that have reduced my carbon footprint along the way.